Iraqi President In Damascus For Talks

Iraqi President Talabani in Baghdad in September (file photo) (epa)
January 14, 2007 -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani arrived in Damascus today for talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad to discuss security and trade issues.

Iraqi officials say Talabani will ask al-Assad to make a greater effort in preventing insurgents to cross the border into Iraq.

Iraq and Syria restored diplomatic ties last year after 26 years of no official relations because of Syria's support for Iran in the Iran-Iraq War, which began in 1980. Talabani's trip to Damascus is the first by an Iraqi president since 1979.

(AFP)

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